I am a licensed therapist, as well as a certified spiritual director.
I have a private psychotherapy practice in the San Jose East Foothills where I have worked for over 35 years. I enjoy working with both children and adults, as well as families. I also have a Spiritual Direction practice in which I companion others on their spiritual journey, listening for the still, small voice of the Holy.
I am licensed as a Clinical Social Worker by the State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences. I received certification in the Art and Practice of Spiritual Direction after three years of training at Mercy Center, Burlingame.
On a personal note, I have raised three children to adulthood.
I know something about the challenging ups and downs of life. I have a deep faith in the capacity of the human spirit to survive and thrive when given compassion, support, and connection. I have a gift for deep listening and creating a space for new life to emerge. In recent years, I have been drawn to the intersection of psychotherapy and spirituality. A desire to nurture this growing edge led me to seek training and certification in spiritual direction.
Early on, I developed a specialty in working with children and parents.
This interest developed out of my strong desire to strengthen families. Beginning at Alum Rock Counseling Center, and in my private practice, my focus was on supporting children’s resiliency and helping them heal from crisis/trauma through play therapy. Also, at Vanished Children’s Alliance, I worked in the field of child abduction and reunification. Since 1990, I have had the role of Director of Family Services at Mandala Children’s House (link), where I continue to offer support to families and staff several days a week, in addition to my private practice.
I have also counseled adults for many years.
Here my focus has been on personal growth and relationship enhancement, as well as grief and loss, including the area of adoption. I have taught parenting workshops, offered consultation to schools and clinics, facilitated grief groups, led adoption support groups, and volunteered my clinical skills in spiritual settings and pastoral care.
My Advanced Training
- Child Trauma and Therapy
- Early Childhood Intervention
- Grief and Loss (Children and Adults)
- Certificate in Advanced Clinical Training in Adoption, AFTER
- Child Abduction and Parental Kidnapping
- Clinical Issues in Clergy/Religious Abuse
- Certificate in Advanced Drug and Alcohol Training, UCSC
- Certificate as Licensed Parent Effectiveness Training Instructor
- Spirituality and Spiritual Direction
My Education
I received my BA in Sociology from the University of Santa Clara.
I have a Masters Degree in Social Work from California State University, Fresno.
I have certification as Spiritual Director from Mercy Center, Burlingame.
I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers and adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.
I am also a member of Spiritual Directors International and adhere to their Code of Ethics.